Overview

The mountain resort area of Poiana-Brasov is a sought-after destination for skiing and winter sports in the winter as well as hiking, biking, and paragliding in the spring and summertime. It is a magical winter wonderland when the mighty Carpathians are blanketed in snow and the massive ski resort is booming with visitors.

Poiana-Brasov is comparable to other notorious European resorts in the Alps and is often nicknamed “The Romanian Alps” with a small Alpine resort-like feel. The accommodations here are luxurious and found in charming wooden chalets, massive boutique hotels, and resorts as well as BandBs, guesthouses, and apartments. The Medieval City of Brasov is just 9 miles away with lots of dining, shopping, and sightseeing options at your fingertips. The resorts and hotels have many spas and leisure facilities to pamper guests

The ski resort features 15 miles total length of ski domain with seven different slopes and covers around 197 acres of land and plenty of snow year-round with snow cannons installed in 2013. Real snow blankets the resort and slopes from mid-November to mid-March, it can start snowing as early as September, but will be at its deepest in November.

The surrounding region is magical any time of year with opportunities for hiking in the mountains, a cable car ride to the top of Postavaru Mountain, paragliding, and cycling in the pristine environment. Outdoor photography is popular in the countryside, picnics among nature, and absorbing the glistening green landscapes.

Things to see and do

Skiing in Poiana-Brasov is the main attraction from November through March during the ski season. There are seven ski slopes covering almost 15 miles for all levels, ski rentals are available as well as private ski lessons. The wolf slope is the most difficult slope with a total length of 9,383 feet, there is a cable car from the Kanzel slope, which is the main connection point between the rest of the slopes. The resort is situated at 3,346 feet above sea level surrounded by four mountains, the destination is geared towards the great outdoors with many activities both during the summer and winter for all fitness enthusiasts.

See Cabana Postavarul, which is one of the most amazing mountain cabins in the country, that can be reached via an easy route up Postavarul mountain following the Drumul Rosu. Visitors can enjoy some breathtaking views from the cabin’s terrace and also dine on delicious food, there are accommodations here too and spending a night here is simply magical.

Horseback riding through the verdant forests of Poiana-Brasov is a popular activity during the warmer seasons. A ride through the great outdoors is a great way to explore with the whole family with a dedicated riding center in Brasov.

Visit the nearby medieval city of Brasov featuring a charming downtown and sprawling square filled with colorfully painted and ornately trimmed baroque structures. The city is one of the seven walled citadels constructed by the Transylvania Saxons during the 12th century and full of history, stroll through the charming cobblestone streets and admire the historical buildings, famous landmarks, and the Black Church, which is the largest gothic church in Romania.

Check out the Libearty Bear Sanctuary Zarnesti, home to over 70 animals that have been rescued from illegal exploitation. The sanctuary was established in 1998 when Cristina Lapis, the founder saw three bears caged outside a restaurant, used to amuse customers. The sanctuary is filled with oak and hazel forests that allow the bears to roam freely through the bushes and trees, visitors can watch the bears feed in the morning, climb trees and swim in the pools.

Bran Castle is said to be Dracula’s Castle dating back to the 14th century, one of the best attractions in Brasov, Romania drawing visitors from around the world. The castle stands 213 feet tall, 292 feet long, and 125 feet wide and served as a fortress and was advertised as the home of the ruler also known as Dracul, who inspired the legend of Dracula. The castle is perched high on a rock above the river offering stunning panoramic views of the mountains and surrounding area.

Rasnov Citadel is known as the “fortress of fear” a magnet for ghost hunters due to its infamous well and the discovery of human bones in the basement. The fortress was built by the Teutonic Order of a group of knights and dates back to the 12th century. There is a feudal museum on-site with exhibits displaying old weaponry, tools, stamps, and traditional clothing. There is a skeleton buried beneath a glass floor, and archery lessons available. There are several restaurants and cafes on-site to enjoy the views of Rasnov.

Food and Nightlife

Typical Romanian cuisine includes lots of meat, fresh vegetables, and comfort food. The dishes in Poiana-Brasov vary by season with some great traditional dishes such as Sarmale, and Mamaliga being some of the most well-known Romanian dishes. Sarma is mince wrapped in pickled cabbage, cooked slowly for several hours with sour cream on the side. Mamaliga is polenta served with cottage cheese, egg, and butter. Ciorba or soups are popular in Poiana-Brasov, great in the wintertime to warm you up after a cold day on the slopes. Romanian sausages are a tasty meal smoked outdoors and served hot with meat stew and delicious grilled vegetables.Mulled wine is a great way to end a day, aromatic, hot, and delicious. Pork is a popular meat in Romania, served up several different ways.

Spending time at the restaurants, bars, and cafes in Poiana-Brasov is the only nightlife scene in the resort area. Enjoying dinner by the fire, or sipping on mulled wine is an enjoyable experience when staying here. “Tuica” is a pepper spiced alcoholic drink that you can enjoy in Poiana-Brasov. There is a nightclub called Capra Neagra, or “The Black Goat”, with euro-pop music and dancing and a wide selection of drinks.

Hiking, Biking, Skiing, and More

Go hiking or trekking in Poiana Brasov during the spring, summer, and fall seasons with beautiful landscapes, blooming flowers, and changing trees. Peak Postravaru stands tall at almost 6,000 feet, visitors can hike to the top or take the scenic cable car ride to the summit. Romanian’s love hiking in their mountainous country and Poiana-Brasov is highly accessible with several well-known marked walking trails and routes that fan through the Postavarul mountain.

Many of Poiana-Brasov’s resorts, hotels, and villas have mountain bikes available to rent and there are some great routes to explore by bicycle.

Go swimming at the hotel and resort pools after a long day of outdoor activities. There are also some luxurious spas dotted throughout the resort area where visitors can relax, rejuvenate and pamper themselves with endless spa service including massages, facials, body scrubs, and more.

Poiana-Brasov is perched on a shoulder of the picturesque Postavaru Massif, framed by the Cheii and Timisului Valley. Cristianul Mare is the highest peak here soaring to 5,912 feet and hikers can reach the top in around three hours in the summertime. The beautiful landscapes of the surrounding mountains are simply breathtaking in the spring, summer, and fall months. There are three nature reserves in the region; Postavaru Massif, Stejarisul Mare, and the Valea Cetatii cave with many trails to choose from some that even lead to the Predeal Resort, and the other to Mount Tampa in Brasov.

Poiana-Brasov is best known as a luxury winter resort, one of the most attractive ski resorts in Romania. The resort features 12 ski runs varying in difficulty; Kanzel, Bradul, Subteleferic, Ruia, and several longer ones like Subteleferic 2, Lupului, and Drumul Rosu, which is the longest of them all. December to March is the busiest time of year at the resort when the snow is at its deepest and visitors come here eager to ski, snowboard, and cross country ski at the marvelous destination and scenic natural setting.